| My wife Sonya and I both completed new CD / DVD | | | | To create these 3D box shots, we use Quick 3D |
| products this month, and we both had to go through all | | | | Covers. To create the box shots, we start with the |
| the steps to get those products completed and | | | | templates we created using DVD Design Pack, and |
| duplicated, then create the sales pages and launch the | | | | save the front cover and the spine of the DVD case |
| product marketing. Because Sonya finished her | | | | as .jpg images. We also save the disc cover as a .jpg |
| product a few days before I finished mine, I helped her | | | | image. We import those images into Quick 3D covers, |
| get her product launched, then repeated the process a | | | | and create boxshots with white backgrounds, saving |
| few days later with my own product. | | | | at 600X600 pixels, 300X300 pixels, 200X200 pixels, |
| Since all the steps are fresh on my mind, I thought it | | | | and 175X175 pixels. These are the sizes we need for |
| would be a good time to produce a list of the steps. | | | | product shots on our web pages, our ads, and for |
| So here they are. | | | | Amazon. |
| Steps to successfully launching a new CD/DVD | | | | 11. Create the product sales page in shopping cart. To |
| product: | | | | create the sales page, we start with the product |
| | | | headline, a subhead which quickly tells what the |
| 1. Create the product. This means recording the | | | | product is, and then write bullet lists which lists the |
| content, editing it, and assembling a user interface (CD | | | | benefits of using the product. We include product box |
| or DVD menu). For DVDs we use Sony Vegas Movie | | | | shots, pricing and shipping info, and reasons why the |
| Studio Platinum 9. To create CDs, we use Camtasia | | | | customer will want the product. Then we re-read and |
| Studio and use my free CD User Interface Generator | | | | usually re-write everything until it flows smoothly, and |
| 2. Burn the CD or DVD. To burn DVDs, we use DVD | | | | creates a compelling reason to purchase the product. |
| Architect which is included with Sony Vegas Movie | | | | We upload the description and images to our product |
| Studio Platinum 9. To burn CDs, we use Nero 9. | | | | shopping cart. |
| 3. Test the product on different devices. For a CD, we | | | | 12. Create the Paypal 'buy it now' buttons. To include |
| test on at least three different computers. For a DVD, | | | | PayPal payment options, we go to our PayPal |
| we test on two computers and two DVD players. We | | | | account, select the 'merchant services' tab, and create |
| check to make sure the DVD/CD starts, and all the | | | | a 'buy it now' button for the product. We then take the |
| menu options work, and all other features work. On | | | | code PayPal creates, and add it to ouproduct pages. |
| CDs, we use the free HTML validator for FireFox to | | | | 13. Test the shopping cart order process and Paypal |
| check the user interface for errors. If errors are found, | | | | button. After adding the item to the shopping cart, we |
| they are corrected, and the CD is burned and tested | | | | test to make sure the order process goes smoothly. |
| again. | | | | This means placing an order, checking that the price |
| 4. Create the disk and box artwork for the CD/DVD. | | | | and order messages are correct at both the shopping |
| To create disk and box artwork, we use DVD Design | | | | cart and throgh PayPal. |
| Pack #1 for Photoshop Elements, which includes easily | | | | 14. Add the product to Amazon. After adding the |
| customized DVD Case, Disk and Insert templates, | | | | product to our own shopping cart, we then add the |
| sized for Kunaki and other disk duplicators. | | | | product to Amazon via the Amazon Advantage |
| 5. Print the artwork on a color printer. Before uploading | | | | program. Note that we use the UPC code generated |
| the artwork to our disk duplicator, we always print it | | | | for our product at Kunaki for our Amazon listings. |
| first on a color printer to proof read, check for | | | | 15. Upload the 3D boxshop image to Amazon. After |
| alignment, and make sure everything looks good. | | | | the product has been uploaded and approved by |
| 6. Start the Kunaki CD/DVD publishing process We | | | | Amazon, we go back and upload the 3D boxshot |
| use Kunaki to duplicate and package our DVDs, | | | | image, and make any needed enhancements or |
| because they offer a fully automated service, quick | | | | corrections to the Amazon sales page for our product. |
| turn around and a price of $1.75 per disc, which | | | | To upload the image to Amazon, you must save the |
| includes DVD/CD disc, case, case and disk artwork, | | | | image as either .tif or .jpeg, and the image file name |
| barcode and shrinkwrapping. The price of $1.75 is for | | | | must be the upc code of the product followed by the |
| any quantity - 1 to a million. After we are certain the | | | | file extension - ie 0237425673458.tif. |
| disc and artwork are the way we want it, we start the | | | | 16. Create YouTube videos for the product. After |
| Kunaki CD /DVD publishing process, using the free | | | | making sure the shopping cart and Amazon product |
| software downloaded from , and fill out the forms, | | | | pages are active, we create a short video related to |
| upload the disk artwork, and prepare to upload the | | | | the product, and include product information and link to |
| disk. When choosing the options, we always choose | | | | the order page in the video. To do this, we often |
| 'add UPC bar code', because we will need that bar | | | | include a short segment from the video, with ordering |
| code to sell at Amazon. Kunaki does not charge to | | | | info at the end. |
| create or add the bar code. | | | | 17. Create an Adwords ad campaign for the product. |
| 7. Upload the disk files to Kunaki. After reviewing the | | | | For most products, we'll create a google adwords ad |
| items in the Kunaki disk publisher for our project, we | | | | campaign so that when people search google for |
| click 'publish' to upload the disc package to Kunaki. | | | | words related to the product, they'll see an ad for our |
| Depending on the speed of our internet upload | | | | product. Having learn our lesson from past |
| connection, this can take anywhere from an hour to a | | | | experiences, we set a daily limit on the amount we are |
| day. (On our Verizon Fios connection, it takes about | | | | willing to spend for ad clicks. We use the selling price |
| two hours to upload a full DVD). | | | | of the product as a guide to how much we will spend |
| 8. Order a free sample from Kunaki. As soon as the | | | | on ads each month. |
| Kunaki upload is completed, we log into and order the | | | | 18. Write articles mentioning the product. To increase |
| free copy for each DVD/CD package we upload. This | | | | search engine ranking and customer awareness, we |
| will take about 4 days to arrive. When the free sample | | | | usually write articles about our new products and post |
| arrives, we check it to make sure all is correct. | | | | on our own web sites, as well as provide ways for |
| 9. Enable the Kunaki Sales Page for our product. After | | | | others to post on their web sites. |
| you upload your product to Kunaki, you can activate | | | | 19. Add the product to an affiliate program. To give |
| the Kunaki Sales page for the product, and use Kunaki | | | | others a reason to mention our products on their web |
| to take orders and process credit card or paypal for | | | | sites and email newsletters, we include the product in |
| your products. This is a free service provided by | | | | an affiliate program and make it easy for affiliates to |
| Kunaki, and gives you a way to accept credit card | | | | find links to these products. |
| orders if you don't have your own merchant account | | | | If the above sounds like a lot of work, it is. But having a |
| or shopping cart. | | | | list of steps to follow makes it a lot easier, and |
| 10. Create box shot images of the product. The first | | | | reduces the chances of missing an important step. |
| step to marketing the CD/DVD is to create 3D box | | | | To make the above a lot easier, start with the right |
| shot images to use on the sales pages we created. | | | | tools. |